Wanyan Wugunai

Who was Wanyan Wugunai?

Wanyan Wugunai was the chieftain of the Wanyan tribe of the Jurchen people in today's Northeast China and Russian Maritime Province.

Wugunai was the eldest son of Wanyan Shilu. Like his father, Wanyan Wugunai was the Khitan Liao Empire appointed chieftain of the Wanyan Tribe. Moreover, Wugunai became Liao Empire's "Jiedushi", a powerful military governor in the region of Wanyan Tribe. Later on, Wugunai's successors - his son Wanyan Helibo and grandson Wanyan Aguda - held that title as well. Eventually, in the 12th century Aguda overthrew the Liao Empire and established the Jurchen Jin Empire in northern China.

Historical sources describe Wugunai as a brave warrior, great eater and hard drinker, and a lover of women.

When Emperor Xizong of Jin was crowned at 1135, Wanyan Wugunai was given posthumous name "Emperor Huihuan" and temple name "Jingzu". At 1144, Wanyan Wugunai's buried site was named as "Dingling".